NHL Power Rankings, 12/23

Posted By
Graig Woodburn
On
December 23, 2009 @ 7:24 am
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General |
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As the countdown to Christmas continues, step aside from the shopping cart. Put down the wrapping paper. Gather family and friends near and enjoy the gift that is the WEEI NHL[1] Power Rankings.

1. (1) 26-8-1 The Devils were challenged by the Penguins[2] for our top spot, but Martin Brodeur[3] went into Pittsburgh and grabbed a milestone shutout. The Devils remain on top.

2.(3) 23-9-3 The Blackhawks have the best team goals-against average (1.96) in the league and high-end offensive talent. Santa has been very good to them this year.

3. (2) 25-11-1 Before running into shutout king Brodeur Monday, the Penguins had won five in a row. They could do the Bruins a favor by returning to their winning ways in their next three contests, all against Northeast Division teams.

4. (4) 22-8-6 After a few rough seasons for Brendan Morrison[4], it’s nice to see he has fit in well with the Capitals, with 24 points in 36 games and a plus-14 rating.

5. (7) 22-8-7 Tuesday’s 3-2 win in a showdown with the Blackhawks showed the Sharks could still be the team to beat in the West.

6. (6) 22-10-3 Here’s a holiday treat. The Sabres and league-best goalie Ryan Miller[5] take on Alex Ovechkin[6] and the Caps in Washington tonight. Eggnog for all.

7. (11) 22-12-3 Despite a loss in Vancouver Tuesday, the Predators remain a scorching 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. Don’t expect them to be cooling off for too long.

8. (5 ) 22-12-3 Ryan Smyth[7] should be back in the lineup when the Kings play their next game Saturday in Phoenix. That’s as good a hockey Christmas gift as you’ll get.

9.(9) 21-12-6 The Avalanche look like they intend to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot. Going 6-3-1 in the last 10 games will do that.

10. (10) 22-13-2 There’s no way the Coyotes could shock the world and win the Pacific? That could never happen, right? Hmm. Third-best record in the league over their last 10 (7-2-1). Never say never.

11. (8) 20-11-4 Yes, we have confirmation. Jarome Iginla[8] did end an eight-game goal-scoring drought with two goals Saturday. But the Flames still have lost three of four.

12. (12) 17-11-7 The return of Milan Lucic[9] and the spirited atmosphere of the Winter Classic should provide a well-timed shot of adrenalin for the Bruins.

13. (13) 18-13-5 The Red Wings were already beset by a major rash of injuries, and now leading scorer Henrik Zetterberg[10] is gone for at least another week with a shoulder injury.

14.(14) 15-10-11 The Stars are starting to wobble, going just 3-3-4 in their last 10 games.

15. (15)18-13-4 Those speculating about the Thrashers moving Ilya Kovalchuk[11] to Boston seem to avoid looking at the standings. The Thrashers’ next move could be to pass the Bruins in playoff positioning.

16. (16)21-16 Beat the Caps, lose to the Ducks and Blues. Just another inconsistent week for the Canucks.

17.(18) 18-14-4 Congrats to Senators forward Mike Fisher[12] for his engagement to country singer Carrie Underwood. That’s a sweet addition to the Northeast Division.

18. (21) 16-14-5 Since a postgame tirade by GM Larry Pleau Friday, the Blues have gone 2-0, while scoring 10 goals in the process. Well done, Mr. Pleau.

19. (23) 16-15-7 The Panthers have won five of their last seven games. OK, two of the wins were against Carolina. But there was a road win over New Jersey in there, too. This is a team on the rise.

20.(24) 14-14-7 The Ducks rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period to take a 4-2 win in Colorado Tuesday. They launched 43 shots at Craig Anderson[13] in the process. Don’t think they are done this season.

21. (19)17-16-3 After a strong run over the last six weeks, the Wild have lost consecutive games for the first time since mid-November.